Barry Wheatley
Green Party Candidate for Woodstock
Local Voice, Fresh Energy: Barry is Standing for the Green Party in Woodstock Division in the County Council Elections
As Woodstock prepares to vote in the Oxfordshire County Council elections on May 1st, local Green Party candidate Barry Wheatley is offering voters a fresh, experienced, and community-rooted alternative to the familiar names in the race.
Barry has lived in the Woodstock for 35 years and is no stranger to public service—he now serves as a Woodstock Town Councillor but worked closely with Oxford City and the County Council while at Oxford Brookes University. He is known locally for his hands-on approach and willingness to listen. “This is my home,” Barry says. “I’m not here to play political games—I’m here to work hard for the people of Woodstock and the villages that makes up the division and make sure our communities get the attention and support they deserve.”
Barry’s background spans industry, academia, small business leadership, and international policy. He’s chaired Oxfordshire’s Federation of Small Businesses and served them as Thames Valley Policy Chair, helping to strengthen local enterprise across the region. He also spent four years with the South East Regional Assembly and the South East Development Agency establishing and leading their representation in Brussels, giving the region a strong voice on the European stage. Most recently Barry was elected a councillor on the Woodstock Town Council where he been made Chair of the Environment Working Group where he is already making a difference.
From his home in Oxfordshire, Barry has built a reputation at home and abroad for getting things done—from supporting innovation in renewable energy and biotech, to helping get more Green councillors elected than ever, during his time as Chair of the Oxfordshire Green Party.
His key focus if elected? Making sure new development only happens where the infrastructure is ready to support it. “We’ve seen too many housing projects pushed through without the schools, health care, transport, or drainage systems they need,” Barry says. “That’s not sustainable planning—it’s short-term thinking. I want to change that.”
Barry also points out the importance of prioritising local needs, like road safety, access to GPs, protecting green spaces, and ensuring that residents—especially young people and working families—can afford to live and thrive in and around Woodstock.
While some candidates, are standing after years, even decades in office, and have spent their time blaming each other for actions they sometimes initiated themselves, Barry believes now is the time for new energy and a community-first approach. “There’s no doubt that other candidates have years of experience in government,” Barry says, “but what Woodstock needs now is someone who’s grounded in the community, who listens, and who’s committed to building something better—not just looking back.”
“This election is a real opportunity to vote for practical, sustainable policies and strong local representation. If you want to see real change, then vote Green on May 1st.”
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